Description

(released in 1985, reissued in 1992 & 2014)

On This Day, Earth Shall Ring: Various Artists

Flying Fish 605

 
Originally released on Hogeye Records in 1985, Flying Fish re-released this recording of Christmas and midwinter holiday songs, with a few added tracks, in 1992 … and now we’ve been able to make this beloved collection of traditional Christmas songs available in an econo-sleeve package for just $10! The 18 tracks feature Anne Hills, Shinobu Sato, Cindy Mangsen and many other Chicago pals. It’s great to have this oft-requested collection available again. Here’s a tracklist with notes on each selection:

1. Christmas Is Coming

A short, lively Christmas round for four voices starts the recording. Based on an English nursery rhyme, it was arranged in this version by the singers. Voices: Fred Campeau, Jim Craig, Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen

2. What Child Is This

One of our most popular and well known melodies, it dates from the time of Shakespeare, who frequently made references to “My Lady Greensleeves.” It is arranges here as an instrumental theme with variations. Hammer dulcimer: Colins Trier; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Bass: Alan Ehrich

3. Virgin Mary Had One Son

This African-American spiritual dates from the end of the 19th century.Voices: Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Bass: Alan Ehrich

4. Blessed Be That Maid Mary

Rather an obscure English piece from the “Ballet Lutebook” arranged here for recorders and strings. Recorders: Nancy Chabla, Dave Fitzgerald, Laura Sanborn; Viola da Gamba: Constance Strait; Mandolin: Stuart Rosenberg; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Recorder ensemble conductor, hand cymbals: Dr. Jim Lucas

5. On This Day Earth Shall Ring

This delightful, square-cut traditional German tune was taken from Piae Cantiones, a book of Latin carols compiled in Finland in 1582. Our transcription is based on the arrangement by Gustav Holst. Vocal: Jim Craig; Bass: Alan Ehrich; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Hammer Dulcimer: Collins Triers

6. Medley

“O Christmas Tree (O Tanennbaum),” “He Is Born (Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant),” “Noel Novelet,” and “Deck the Halls.” Four carols artfully arranged so solo guitar; the first is German, the middle two are French, and the last is Welsh. The guitar is in an open-G tuning. Guitar: Shinobu Sato

7. Over the Hill, and Over the Dale

Cindy learned this from John Roberts and Tony Barrand and their Nowell Sing We Clear pageant. This translation by J. M. Neale is set to a tune from Piae Cantiones. The final verse is by Tony Barrand. Voices: Cindy Mangsen & Anne Hills; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Concertina: Cindy Mangsen; Hammer Dulcimer: Paul Goelz

8. The Holly and the Ivy

A lovely English tune collected by Cecil Sharp. We have transcribed Reginald Jacques’ arrangement for four-part chorus to a duet for guitar and viola. Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Viola da gamba: Constance Strait

9. Patapan

Written by Bernard de la Monnoye, a Burgundian in 17th century France. The second voice follows the melody in an inverted or upside down manner. Voices: Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen; Doumbec: Howard Levy; Guitar: Shinobu Sato

10. The Ballad of Jesus Christ

A provincial French song, also known as “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, and With Awe and Welcome Stand.” It is arranged here for solo guitar. Guitar: Shinobu Sato

11. A La Nanita Nana

Anne learned this traditional Spanish-language lullabye from Tish Hinojosa’s album Memorabilia Navidena, a beautiful collection of mostly original Christmas songs. It’s from the Mexican Christmas re-enactment play Las Pasadas, with a second verse added by Anne Hills and Jodi Dinsmore. Voice: Anne Hills; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Harp: Liz Cifani

12. Riu Riu Chiu

A 16th century Spanish song (or Villancico, to be more precise) arranged for a folk-style string quartet. Mandolins: Howard Levy & Stuart Rosenberg; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Bass: Alan Ehrich

13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

One of two “proper” tunes for the words, it is arranged here for three voices a capella. Voices: Jim Craig, Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen

14. Vom Himmel Hoh (O Engel Kommt!)

A lesser known but gorgeous German tune from the 17th century. Recorders: Nancy Chabala, Dave Fitzgerald, Laura Sanborn; Viola da gamba: Constance Strait; Mandolin: Stuart Rosenberg; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Recorder ensemble conductor: Dr. Jim Lucas

15. I Wonder As I Wander

A haunting song collected by John Jacob Niles in North Carolina circa 1933. Voice: Anne Hills; Guitar: Shinoby Sato; Mandolin: Stuart Rosenberg

16. Kommet Ihr Hirten

A song from Bohemia, known as “Come All Ye Shepherds” in America. Hammer dulcimer: Collins Trier; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Bass: Alan Ehrich

17. Silent Night (Stille Nacht)

This very popular song was written by Franz Gruber on Christmas eve of 1818. Over the years it has been changed here and there; we present an arrangement based on Gruber’s original manuscript. Voices: Fred Campeau, Jim Craig, Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Hammer dulcimer: Collins Trier

18. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

The familiar and well-loved English carol. Voices: Fred Campeau, Jim Craig, Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen; Mandolins: Stuart Rosenberg & Howard Levy; Guitar: Shinobu Sato; Hammer dulcimer: Collins Trier; Bass: Alan Ehrich

Executive Producers: Anne Hills & Stuart Rosenberg
Produced by Stuart Rosenberg & Shinobu Sato with Rich Warren
Technical Production: Rich Warren
Musical Direction and Arrangements: Shinobu Sato

Back cover photo: D. Shigley
Production facilitation: Peg Compton
Special thanks to Kathy Cowan, George Drury and everyone at WFMT.

Numbers 3, 7 & 11 recorded live to DAT by Paul Goelz in April & May of 1992

New cover design: Mark D. Moss, based on the original design by Simmon Factor and using a reconstructed image from a 19th century Christmas card. “Health and Joy and All Good Cheer! Young Christmas Comes but Once a Year.”

If you’d prefer to send a check or money order, you can print an order form to mail with your payment.